A Quick Overview of Car Rental Loyalty Programs

September 3, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Frequent flyer programs get all the attention, but it really should be all about the car rentals.

How To Find the Cheapest Award Redemption for a Flight

August 27, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Chances are, like most frequent flyers, you have points in a hundred million frequent flyer programs, and it’s time to get from London to New York. Citi ThankYou points? British Avios? 😱 😱

Culture & Science Loyalty

The Make-A-Wish Foundation Is Requesting Airline Miles

August 7, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Make-A-Wish is kicking off their Trips That Transform campaign this month, and asking for donations in the form of airline miles. Million milers, we know you’re out there!

Airbnb Airlines Loyalty Vacation Rentals

Now You Can Earn British Airways Avios for Airbnb Stays

July 10, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Great for racking up some quick miles on one of the best frequent flyer programs for flight redemptions.

Hotels Lodging Loyalty

Marriott Bonvoy New Members Get a Free Night After Two Stays

February 19, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Because everyone had better things to do on Valentine’s Day, most people might have missed the fact that Marriott has decided to rebrand its loyalty program to Marriott Bonvoy.

Flights Loyalty Technology Transit

Star Alliance’s Flight Search Engine Just Became Usable

February 14, 2019 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Finding flights is one thing, booking things are another, though one might think these things should naturally and intuitively go together.

Flights Loyalty Transit

Short of an Award Flight? Quick Strategies To Reach a Redemption

January 16, 2019 Erica Ho 2 minute read

How annoying is it to be less than a few thousand miles shy of an award flight? Here’s how I quickly topped off an airline account that had 11,768 miles—732 miles short of redeeming a flight.

Flights Loyalty Transit

How Long Will It Take Before Basic Economy Creeps Into Award Tickets?

December 19, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

It’s one of those ‘speak, and give it further power’ things that we don’t want to believe in. But alas, it’s a matter of time.

Loyalty News

Come Join Us at Frequent Traveler University in New York on June 10

May 28, 2018 MH Staff 1 minute read

Occasionally, we emerge from the Map Happy cave to prove that the site is run by live, breathing human beings. Come meet us in New York as we talk travel gadgets galore.

Business Hotels Lodging Loyalty Luxury

Mandarin Oriental Launches a Loyalty Program (Get an Extra Night)

February 27, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

How about a free upgrade without having to jump through hoops?

Flights Loyalty Money Tools Trip Planning

Calculator: Should You Book a Paid or Award Ticket?

July 17, 2017 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Because we like to maximize those miles, above all else.

Airlines Family Flights Loyalty News

British Airways Is Offering Elite Flyers “Paternity Leave,” Letting Them Put Status On Hold

May 9, 2017 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

I love this. I’m so behind this.

Flights Loyalty Transit Trip Planning

One Unexpected Benefit of Schedule Changes That’s Usually Overlooked

April 10, 2017 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

No, not the whole rebooking for free thing.

Features Loyalty Money Plastic

This Is Exactly How Much Money the Chase Sapphire Reserve Makes Off You

February 16, 2017 Erica Ho 3 minute read

There is no such thing as a free trip. Hold the presses!

Flights Loyalty Tools Trip Planning

Where to Credit Finds the Best Frequent Flyer Program for Flights

February 14, 2017 Erica Ho 1 minute read

These miles, they are useless, the whole lot.

Business Loyalty Technology Tools

Review: AwardWallet Lets You Track and Manage Frequent Flyer Points Like a Pro

January 18, 2017 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Time to upgrade that Notepad document.

Airlines Flights Ground Loyalty Lyft

It’s Possible To Earn JetBlue Points Through Amazon and Lyft

December 8, 2016 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Lately, JetBlue seems to be brokering some unusual partnerships to earn points. Most notably, Amazon and Lyft join the lineup so travelers can get points whenever they shop or take a ride with either service.

Airlines Flights Loyalty Reference Charts Transit

How To Get Flight Credit Even If You Weren’t a Frequent Flyer Member Before

November 21, 2016 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

There’s no bigger sin than a wasted mile.

Airlines Loyalty Money Plastic Reference Charts

The Credit Cards You Should Pick Based on Airline Frequent Flyer Program

November 2, 2016 Erica Ho 5 minute read

Bla bla bla Chase Sapphire Reserve. But kinda pointless if you’re an Emirates flyer.

Airlines Loyalty Transit

The Most Available Reward Seats Are on Southwest and airberlin

May 16, 2016 Sam Wright Fairbanks 1 minute read

Survey says… things are improving for rewards program members. Some of them.

Airlines Flights Loyalty Security Transit

Why It’s Not Worth It To Redeem Alaska Miles for TSA PreCheck

March 22, 2016 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Yesterday, Alaska Airline announced that it will now allow Mileage Plan members to redeem mileage for TSA PreCheck.

Business Features Guides Loyalty Misc. Travel Trip Planning

The Beginner’s Guide to Understanding FlyerTalk

January 18, 2016 Erica Ho 2 minute read

It’s almost like it’s another language… Because it is.

Ground Hotels Lodging Loyalty Transit Uber

Don’t Forget To Take Advantage of Uber’s Hotel Partnerships

December 2, 2015 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Once upon a ye time, Uber announced it’d be partnering with Starwood. But this is clearly turning into a thing now.

Airlines Business Flights Loyalty

There’s One North American Airline That’s Still Pretty Awesome (It’s Not American Airlines)

November 18, 2015 Kyle Stewart 3 minute read

Okay, the world didn’t blow up. American Airlines, the last of the old guard has finally relented and moved to a mileage program that doesn’t reward you for the time you are spending on their planes but how much you are spending with the airline.

Airlines Business Flights Lounges Loyalty Trip Planning

Picking the Right Frequent Flyer Program for You

November 2, 2015 Erica Ho 4 minute read

This is part 2 in The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Frequent Flyer Programs series.

Most people just sign up on the airline that they fly on. That’s probably the worst thing most people can do.

Hotels Loyalty Money News Plastic Trip Planning

Starwood Ditches the Foreign Transaction Fee (and Other Updates)

August 11, 2015 Catey Condit 1 minute read

The Starwood Preferred Guest American Express card is increasing its annual fee and adding four new benefits today in one fell swoop. The news is that the foreign transaction fee is permanently going.

Airlines Flights Guides Loyalty

The Guide To Finally Decoding Frequent Flyer Programs

June 28, 2015 Erica Ho 5 minute read

This is part 1 in The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Frequent Flyer Programs series.

I once had a friend who couldn’t understand why he should care about frequent flyer programs until I once pointed out he was missing out on a free domestic flight for the two international flights he was already taking every year. The next day, he signed up.

Airlines Loyalty Money

How to Earn Miles Without Flying

May 4, 2015 Karina Martinez-Carter 3 minute read

There are plenty of ways to rack up frequent flyer miles, no flying required.

Airlines Loyalty News Trip Planning

How the British Airways Avios Changes Affect You

April 27, 2015 Erica Ho 1 minute read

One of my favorite secret little “hacks” is using British Airways to redeem points for domestic fights via American Airlines.

Airports Business Lounges Loyalty Reviews Technology

LoungeBuddy Is Practically Yelp for Airport Lounges

March 9, 2015 Karina Martinez-Carter 3 minute read

I’ll never forget my first introduction to airport lounges. I was discreetly loitering outside a lounge that had wide-open Wi-Fi, hoping the hours would pass quickly.

Airlines Business Lounges Loyalty

The Quickest Way To Earn Star Alliance Gold

February 26, 2015 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Everyone is upset over the fact it’s not so easy to earn Star Alliance Gold on Aegean Air anymore. That’s not true: it’s still one of the easiest ways to beat the system. There’s just a Grecian vacation in your future now.

Hotels Loyalty Plastic Travel Uber

SPG Rewards Officially Loves Uber

February 25, 2015 Erica Ho 1 minute read

It’s a good thing at least someone loves Uber, because I don’t love Travis Kalanick, who’s possibly the worst human being on earth. But maybe you love Starwood and free hotel stays!

Airlines Flights Loyalty Polls

Do You Have a Preferred Airline Alliance?

February 19, 2015 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Don’t worry, if you’re a freewheeling hippie that has no allegiance, we can still be friends too. Jump in the comments and let us know why!

Airlines Flights Hacks Loyalty Money

How To Score the Southwest Companion Pass

February 11, 2015 Rosa Nam 4 minute read

The Southwest Companion Pass pretty much lets you buy one and get one free all year long. Not a bad deal at all if you can handle traveling with people.

Connectivity Hotels Lodging Loyalty Technology

Marriott Rewards Members Now Get Free Wi-Fi

January 15, 2015 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Who would have thunk Marriott would give away free Wi-Fi? You don’t even need status because all you need to do is to sign up as a Marriott Rewards member.

Flights Loyalty

How Status Drops Affect Existing Reservations

January 5, 2015 Erica Ho 1 minute read

By now, you know whether you’ve managed to keep airline status for the upcoming year or it’s time to join the normal ranks. By that metric, I’ve failed horribly.

Flights Loyalty Money Plastic

Why Credit Card Points Aren’t the New Miles

December 17, 2014 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Since United and Delta changed the way miles are earned, everyone has been advocating the nearest credit card as the best way to get points. The math still shows flying is cheaper.